What Happened to Ellen?: An American Miscarriage of Justice

by Nancy Grace

How could this have happened in the United States?

Is it even humanly possible that this young woman could have so brutally and with such unimaginable Herculean force fatally stabbed herself more than twenty times?

Beautiful, accomplished, and beloved, Ellen Greenberg was a vivacious and affectionate teacher of young children she adored. Always upbeat, she deeply loved her family and friends, and especially her fiancée, Sam Goldberg, with whom she was planning a wedding. In fact, they’d just sent out the save-the-date announcements when, on January 26, 2011, Ellen was found in the kitchen of the luxury apartment she shared with Sam, a knife still plunged in her chest. She’d been brutally stabbed more than twenty times, at least one of the wounds having been assessed as occurring post-mortem. The autopsy by the Philadelphia medical examiner recorded homicide as the cause of death. Following secretive meetings, including the Philadelphia Police Department, District Attorney’s Office, and possibly members of the Attorney General’s Office, the cause of death was changed to “suicide.” How could that possibly be? Could this petite, twenty-seven-year-old woman have so forcibly murdered herself, hitting parts of her body no one could reach with such Herculean force, again and again and again? Top forensics investigators who have painstakingly studied this case take huge exception to the suicide finding. They say it’s impossible. Period. So why can’t Ellen Greenberg’s still grieving parents get the Philadelphia justice system to simply reopen the case, despite a groundswell of public pressure and thirteen years of legal battles and appeals? Why is it that even the Philadelphia Supreme Court called the handling of the case questionable and even riddled with mistakes but stopped short of ordering a new investigation?

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published April 22, 2025

About the author

Nancy Grace is an American legal commentator and former prosecutor. She frequently discusses issues from what she describes as a "victims' rights" standpoint. She was the host of Nancy Grace from 2005 to 2016 on HLN, and she was the host of Court TV's Closing Arguments from 1996–2007.

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, What Happened to Ellen, by Nancy Grace, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. School teacher Ellen, was obviously murdered, but the police, detectives, coroner, screwed up, and did a horrible job on this case. Philadelphia did Ellen wrong, and is still doing Ellen wrong.

[BlaireReadsTheThings · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this title.

As a forensic science teacher, I have heard of this case and actually use it as a case study in my class. This is one of those cases that truly boggles the mind. What were these people thinking!? I'm really glad that it is back in the news because Ellen truly deserves justice. However, this account of the case is just awful. I chose this hoping to learn new information that I could use in class. But the writing is just unbearable. The storyline is so jumbled up and repetitive that I could not stand it. Nancy Grace has her place in the media, but author is NOT it. This was just a mess. She told the same information in multiple chapters. There were personal expressions of hers in there. it was like she just started dictating into a computer and it wrote down what she said and she just went with it. Big DNF. Hated.

[♡Heather✩Brown♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and listened to the audio
Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy (now available)

Wish I could say this story stocks me. But it doesn’t. There’s so many stories just like this one. Women found dead - by means that just don’t line up with anything - and are said to have done that to themselves. I know the police are historically entrenched in scandal and things but seriously. How can a department be so stupid. It leads us to only believe that a cover up happened.

I lost faith in our system a long time ago. Unfortunately many think it’s the backbone of America. I only hope they never have to experience something as terrible as a death when you know it wasn’t a suicide and have these “fine folks” with money determine how things pan out.

There were warnings, hindsight is 20/20 - I understand this and am in no way blaming anyone. But educate yourselves. The red flags were waving all over. Such a sad and tragic story. What is up with that family?! Excluding Ellen, my heart broke for her.

Do what’s right you fktards and reopen this case.

[Ceeceereads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t think this is a particularly well written true crime account. I haven’t watched Nancy Grace but have seen a clips of her passionate presenting style. I could feel the same energy through the tone and phrases. That was fine but the story wasn’t coherent enough to really get a grasp of Ellen’s character or her fiancés family, or even what was going on in the lead up to the crime. It didn’t have that detached journalistic approach of exploring all angles of the crime in its entirety and laying it all out for the reader in a palatable way. I found this a frustrating read overall. I appreciate the arc from Netgalley.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best way to get away with homicide is to have it ruled a suicide
3.5 stars
I have to admit I am avid true crime watcher and have done courses in forensic psychology and criminology, so I was already aware of the Ellen Greenberg case.
I did hope that this book would be handled respectfully and I was happy to see that all profits for this book are going to charity.
However I'm not the biggest fan of Nancy Grace and I was hoping that she wouldn't make this all about herself and thankfully she didn't. Although you can definitely hear her voice and brash style throughout the book.
I liked how this was written and although it is hard to say it is an enjoyable read simply because of the subject manner.
This has got to be one of the most unbelievable miscarriages of justice out there at the moment.
It is infuriating reading about how right from the start this was mishandled.
This book is packed full of information and at times it does feel slightly repetitive, but at the same time it feels very important to raise awareness and get people talking about Ellen's case.
If you haven't heard about Ellen Greenberg I encourage you to look up her case.

Thanks to Post Hill Press for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Philadelphia, 2011 & a young woman named Ellen Greenberg was found dead in the apartment she shared with her fiancée. Ellen had received over 20 stab wounds, many to the back of the neck & head, & at least one has been assessed to have been received post-mortem - and yet, her death has been judged a suicide. Examining what evidence there is, this case seems to have been either disastrously bungled or there is something darker at the root of this.

First of all, this seems to me to be a very clear miscarriage of justice & Ellen's story needs to be out there so that the powers-that-be are finally convinced to re-examine her case. Unfortunately this book about the case is a bit of a mess. It really needs re-editing so that the arguments are more structured & linear to avoid repeating the same information over & over. The author is obviously passionate about wanting to see justice done but this was all over the place.

Thank you to NetGalley & publishers, Post Hill Press/Regalo Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

[Kathleen Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uncovering What Should Never Be Buried

What Happened to Ellen? Is a haunting true crime account that demands attention. Nancy Grace unpacks the shocking death of Ellen Greenberg a young teacher found with 20 stab wounds and a baffling suicide ruling with unrelenting passion and sharp legal insight.
The writing is raw and intense, sometimes repetitive, but always driven by a fierce determination to expose the truth. More than a book, this is a call to action. Grace gives Ellen and her family a voice and refuses to let the case be buried. A must-read for anyone who believes justice shouldn’t be ignored. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and researched. This case has been in the headlines lately, so I am thrilled the book came out right at this time. I think before I was semi-convinced the fiancé was the guilty one. After reading the book and the reports that were attached in full, I am convinced and mad as hell he isn't in jail. Ellen's family has been through a really bad time throughout the years and the fight to keep going must be brutal. We pray for them and justice will mean some arrests Make it happen

[Pat Lampe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unbelievable story, sad and depressing. How could anyone commit suicide by stabbing herself 18 times? Some kind of money or power by the family of the fiancé has greased this crime along. My heart aches for her family and friends. It seems impossible that this kind of investigation could occur in our country and be overlooked and rationalized by the police and judiciary. Absolutely disgusting.

[Alanna Fowler · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this story was so clear that I struggled to comprehend how the American justice system let her down so badly. The story was intense but I did think that it dragged on too much and went off on unnecessary tangents.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read and review.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

This case was not familiar to me and very interesting. It would have been nice to have more information on the case and why it was covered up. over half the book is legal
documents. I sure hope this case is eventually resolved. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

[Marynia Gottfred · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t a great audiobook experience because the narrator is kinda yelling at you. But justice for Ellen! That girl did not stab and strangle herself!

[Trish S · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is emotionally charged and biased but i do think something is seriously fishy and im glad someone is in the greenberg corner

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody that investigated should be arrested!

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I heard Nancy Grace on a podcast talking about this case and book. I was hoping to get some more details and a timeline but the book was poorly written. The timeline was all over the place. I still don't know how many times this case has been reviewed or anything. NG would write about someone before she introduced the person and relationship to Ellen. Lots of repetition and not sure why, it seemed like she had to reach a certain word count.

Another odd thing was the actual narrative was the first 131 pages. Pages 132-151 was the appendix of court documents that were never referenced in the narrative. Some are too small to read even if I wanted to read and I didn't have any interest in getting a magnifying glass to read it. Again, it seems to me that NG needed to reach a word count minimum.

The book was a disappointment but I'm glad NG is bringing this to the forefront. So sad and angry that Ellen is not getting justice. Beautiful young woman murdered and but no one has been investigated or charged with this crime.

[Angel **Book Junkie** · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Regalo Press for a Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First, the story it broke my heart. I hope that none of these investigators have jobs. Allowing anyone to "pay" to cover up a crime. (This is what I believe) is horrible. This woman went through hell and back with that man and you are telling me she stabbed her own self in the back of the neck. She would have had to be flexible to do that.I had forgotten all about this story until I was gifted this incredible read.

So, you ask why I gave it two stars? The story part was great. The court information and proceeding's part was so unedited and made for a tough read. Like really tough. Maybe it is because I had an e-arc. I plan to buy this book when it comes out and I will give it a higher rating.

[Taryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Happened to Ellen?
By Nancy Grace
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Pub date: April 22, 2025

Thank you to netgalley for this arc. I couldn’t believe my eyes during this telling of the mishandled case of Ellen Greenberg. Recently I’d heard that Ellen was stabbed 20 times and it was ruled a suicide by PA police. Ellen’s case does not make much sense and to this day her parents are still fighting for her case to be reopened and reinvestigated. This true crime book was well written and included all of the important details of Ellen’s story and includes all of the shareable files/evidence of the case. I will continue to follow Ellen’s case as I hope she finally gets the justice she deserves!

[Melanie Naugler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Netgalley ARC 3.5 star
True Crime

Nancy Grace tells the story of Ellen Greenburg's death which is obviously a homicide, however the ME has changed his report from homicide to suicide.

Ellen had 20 stab wounds many to the back of the head and her back and at least 1 wound was postmortum. HOW?

[Haley Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so beyond frustrated after reading this book, the insane injustice that this woman has faced and she’s not even here to defend herself. I feel so sorry for her parents, for everyone who loved Ellen. We will get justice for her, without a doubt in my mind she was killed and this was not suicide.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was absolutely fantastic. I could not put it down so much so that I managed to finish the whole thing in one gulp. The story really captivated me, hard to believe it’s actually true. I was so fascinated by all of the legal documentation that they included in this book as well. What a story! Highly highly recommend

[Kimberly Bearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic

This book tells the story of a system so unjust it boggles the mind. This woman did not I repeat did not commit suicide. This is a cover up plain and simple! I
could actually hear in my mind Nancy telling the story. It reads so well my heart breaks for the Greenbergs.

[Carol Ann Tack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Infuriating miscarriage of justice. So many in power failed this smart, loving, and beautiful young woman. I was not familiar with this case before reading the book, and it will stay with me a long time. I pray that Ellen Greenberg, her dear parents and extended family get the justice they all deserve.

[Judy Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic

Like to think this book will expose the truth to so many people that this sham will notice these shameless people to tell the truth and admit their mistakes God bless Allen and her loving parents.

[Beth]

Hard to believe that the system allowed/is allowing this case to be ruled as it was and is unwilling to let it see justice. If you read between the lines, one can come to conclusions that weren’t /cannot be stated in this book.

[Brandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t believe the system failed Ellen so badly.

[Alyson Rosenfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough account of the events surrounding this horrific, unimaginable tragedy. We WILL find Justice for Ellen.

[CherylR · Rating 3 out of 5]

left wanting more

I would have liked a lot more information as to who the author thought killed Ellen. Also why the conspiracy. I was left wanting a lot more information.

[Davi Kladakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember hearing about this case, but then nothing. So when I saw there was a book about it I had to buy it. It makes me so unsettled. There is NO WAY SHE COMMITTED SUICIDE!!! She was murdered!!

[Julie Maleski (juliereads_alot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 E-ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚

What Happened To Ellen?
By Nancy Grace and Benee Knauer
Publication Date: April 22, 2025
Publisher: Post Hill Press | Regalo Press

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

📚MY REVIEW:

If you're a fan of true crime and you aren't yet familiar with Ellen Greenberg, allow me to introduce you to the next rabbit hole you're about to go down.

Ellen was 27 years old, engaged to be married later that year, and a beloved schoolteacher to young children, when she was found brutally k*lled in the luxury apartment she shared with her fiance in Philadelphia on January 26, 2011. Ellen was stabbed 20 TIMES -- with wounds to her liver, her neck, her head, and her spinal cord -- and the knife was still in her chest when she was discovered. One of her stab wounds did not bleed, which means it was inflicted post-mortem -- after she was already dead. And the police and medical examiner ultimately ruled her death a suicide.

Ellen's parents have been engaged in a legal fight for more than a decade to have the manner of death changed to homicide or even undetermined, so that the police investigation can be re-opened. This book offers many more details about this case and the family's fight for justice in Ellen's name.

I've been aware of this case for years and have been disgusted by the lack of transparency and humanity from the local law enforcement, the district attorneys, and the medical examiners involved in this case. The evidence is limited because of the police's determination on-site this was a suicide, and then the crime scene was forensically cleaned before law enforcement could obtain a search warrant. The fiance's extended family was given permission to take personal belongings from the apartment the day after Ellen's death - which included some of Ellen's belongings. None of the typical reading testing was done by the medical examiner to determine the actual time of death. Forensic evidence doesn't match up with the manner of death being suicide. And we're expected to believe Ellen brutally stabbed herself 20 times - in places which were nearly impossible for her to reach and once after she was already dead - while holding a perfectly clean white dish towel in her dominant right hand, which she was still holding when her body was found?!

Okay. Sure. Seems plausible.

I think it's good to know that only about 35% of this book is a written narrative about Ellen, her family, and details about the case. The remaining 65% of the book contains legal filings and deposition transcripts. Nancy Grace's voice comes through loud and clear in the narrative within these pages, with phrases like "this stinks to high Heaven," and you can practically hear her voice as you read. Though the way this book shares information is a little all over the place and there are details that are repetitive, I'm grateful Grace uses her platform to bring attention to abhorrent miscarriages of justice like Ellen's case. Everyone should be DISGUSTED by the appalling way this case has been handled, and we need to shout from the rooftops until justice is served for Ellen and the Greenberg family.

I'll see you on the other side of the rabbit hole.

#WhatHappenedToEllen #NancyGrace #BeneeKnauer #PostHillPress #RegaloPress #bookreviews #bookrecs #truecrime #truecrimereads #coldcase #injustice #booklover #bookaddict

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The best way to get away with homicide is to have it ruled a suicide”

Once again, it’s time for my CONFESSION: true crime is my biggest guilty pleasure…and this genre is definitely all over the place with some great work, and some real basura. You know, the “wow, that was a LOT! Now I need a shower” stuff. And Nancy Grace? Generally a strong no for me, but when I saw she had a new book coming out (“What Happened to Ellen?” about the death of Ellen Greenberg, a case that has long baffled and intrigued me) and thanks to Post Hill Press/Regalo Press and NetGalley I could have a copy in exchange for my honest review, I was SOLD.

Ellen Greenberg, a beautiful 27-year-old elementary school teacher in Philadelphia, was just in the midst of planning her dream wedding – she’d already mailed out those “save-the-date” cards, etc. She lived in an upscale apartment building with her fiance, and he (supposedly) went downstairs to the gym to work out, and came back to find the door locked from the inside (deadbolt-style) and he was unable to reach her by phone. Finally he broke down the door and (supposedly) found her covered in blood, sitting on the floor up against the kitchen cabinets. She had a knife stuck in her chest, and over twenty stab wounds – with more than half of them in her BACK (head, neck, etc)??? Following an autopsy, it was ruled as a homicide (duh), but then, after some meetings involving the Philadelphia PD, the DA, and possibly the AG’s office, the ruling was changed to SUICIDE. Yes, seriously. It wasn’t enough that there were so many stab wounds in her back, but at least one of them occurred POSTMORTEM. WTAF? Suicide?

The story has been the source of an incredible amount of scrutiny, including MANY podcasts, and Ellen’s family has been fighting for answers for more than fourteen years. I find Nancy Grace less than the best person to find the truth, but she definitely has an audience, and that might help Ellen’s family get a real honest investigation into this horrible story. And while this book can’t be attributed solely to Ms. Grace (Benee Knauer, a well-known editor and ghost writer, is at least partly responsible), she is the one who will get the credit as well as the blame.

To be honest, I have not completely finished the book, but am about 90% through so feel I can give my recommendation: it is worth reading if for no other reason than this is one of the most egregious examples of horrible screwups by our “justice” system EVER, and I hope the ongoing publicity helps shed more light on this. I’m still not a big fan of Nancy Grace, and the writing is what I’d call acceptable (definitely not the worst TC book I’ve ever read). The subtitle pretty much says it all: “An American Miscarriage of Justice.”

Oh, and one last thing: IT WAS NOT SUICIDE.